Okay! Hey guys, this is N.S. Katherine. This is the first entry I have of a change!
Here is what would have happened instead of the phone conversation between Katie and Robert in Part 4.
This starts a whole new turn of events in the story and changes how their relationship builds. You'll see how that is possible.
If you think this idea is horrendous, let me know! Otherwise show me you are pleased and more will be provided!
Thanks a bunch!!!
-K.
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I laid on the couch just after Tristan had left for her date with Joe. The guy who actually used the number he asked for.
Frustrated again, I changed the channel and grabbed my big box of junior mints from under the couch. I turned off the TV, it wasn't helping, and rolled over onto my back when I glanced the newspaper open on the coffee table, my ad for house-sitting catching my eye.
I had house sat before for neighbors and I found that I actually really enjoyed it, so I thought I'd bring in some more money for school if I could. It had to be within thirty minutes of my school though, that was the biggest requirement. Pay was negotiable as was pretty much everything else.
I'd had the ad running for a few months already and no one had hired me. I guess not many people went on long vacations between winter and fall. Maybe in the summer though.
I'd let it go one more week before I took it down.
No one liked to call me. Even when they said they would.
I was so annoyed with how disappointed I was! I mean, not every celebrity could be as good as Joe. Not every guy was as good as Joe. Most just don't call…
I flipped over and buried my face into the throw pillow.
My luck with men never seemed to change. I was always left waiting for the damn phone to ring.
I suddenly stormed up, giving myself a head rush and wobbling before my sight came back. I headed straight for my computer.
I was going to find a distraction from feeling sorry for myself.
Checking my e-mail, I found that I actually had some, but it was probably spam and nothing more.
But there was an e-mail I didn't recognize, I almost deleted it until I read the subject.
"Regarding House-Sitting Advertisement"
I felt like I was about to eat my words, but wouldn't let myself get my hopes too up.
I opened it and read the letter.
Hello. I know this is going to sound very strange, but I cannot tell you who I am until you are at least possibly able to take the job.
I promise I am not involved in anything illegal, I just need my privacy.
I am not positive if my house is within your preferred distance from your school, but I know it is only about nine miles away.
This is all I can say for now.
If you would please consider taking this job we could discuss it further. Write back and then I can give you a number to call.
I sat back, hardly believing my eyes. It was just so odd. Who on earth could be sending me this email?! Was it dangerous?
Ug, I really didn't need this right now.
I was going to wait for Tristan to get home and see what she thought, but at the same time, I felt like I couldn't not reply. The writer almost seemed…desperate.
I hesitated with the mouse over the 'Reply' button a moment, then I clicked it. Cautiously I typed:
Nine miles is definitely close enough to my school. I'd like to say I can take the job, but I need more details.
If this doesn't work for you I'm sorry.
Write back as soon as you can or you can give me a call at…
I put in my number, signed my name, and held my breath before I sent it.
The second the page had refreshed and told me that the e-mail had sent I was regretting putting my phone number.
There were so many reasons why that was a mistake. They could be some rapist of pedophile or something and I just gave them my phone number!
I put a movie on that I knew I hadn't seen in a while so that I wouldn't have to think about it, but the longer I was alone the more afraid I became.
My heart started to race when I heard a car outside a little more than an hour later. I froze when I heard the front door open, then was instantly relieved when I saw Tristan walk into the room.
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I grinned the whole while as Tristan told me of her night. I truly was excited and happy for her, but I was having a hard time ignoring the terrible anxiety in my gut.
Why was that e-mail making me so nervous?
I still had my computer on my lap and snuck a glance at my e-mail. There was a reply. I felt nauseous.
"Katie."
My head snapped up. "What?"
"You didn't hear the last five things I said, did you?" she frowned.
"No," rubbed me eyes, "I'm sorry, I-"
"Did he call?" she perked up hopefully.
A glare flickered in my eyes for a millisecond. "No. I got a strange e-mail about house-sitting and it's bothering me."
Tristan's eyebrows furrowed. "How weird?" she asked cautiously.
I sighed, opened the e-mail and turned the screen toward her.
Her frown deepened with each line. "Oookaayy…"
"Yeah." I concurred.
Tristan folded her arms and sat on the edge of the chair, thinking.
"What if they're a celebrity or something?" she pondered.
"I don't even know. They didn't seem confident at all."
Tristan shrugged. "Socially awkward for sure." She gasped. "What if they're a total psycho with D.I.D.?"
I had to laugh, "Said the Psychology major."
"Well, they could!"
My laughter was cut off by the sound of the phone ringing. We both eyed it as it rang again.
"Shit." I mumbled.
Tristan turned to me with a look that said, "Are you going to answer it?"
I got up from the chair, and picked up the phone with a slightly shaking hand. I swallowed. "Hello?"
"Uh, hi. I just, um, e-mailed you about the…house-sitting job?"
My jaw dropped and my stomach was in my throat. The British accent was unmistakable.
I swallowed the shock and gritted my teeth slightly. "Yes."
"Okay, um." He let out a long breath. "More details…I'll be gone months at a time, several times, and…I'd cover the cost of food and gas, electricity, and whatever else you'd need."
I blinked.
"Oh, and, if I got a pet, say like a dog, would you be able to care for it?"
"Oh yeah. I'm good with most animals. Dogs are easy." I answered, having perked up a little.
"Okay." He breathed again.
"So, um." I began feeling a little awkward myself. "You'd be needing me to house sit more than once?" I asked.
"Yeah. Pretty regularly." He answered.
I nodded, then finally began taking notes. "Address?"
"Oh yeah." He said like he'd forgotten what he was doing.
I wrote it down, even more sure I knew who he was. I knew the address and it had been for sale for a while, and was quite expensive.
"And I'm Robert Pattinson." He said cautiously, as if afraid of my response.
I didn't bother jotting it down. "Okay." I said, forcing myself to perk up. "When do you want me over to go over the usual?"
"Oh, yes, how about Monday?"
"That's fine." I answered.
"Alright…I'll…see you then?"
"Mmhmm."
"Okay, bye."
"Bye." I set the phone down carefully, then let my frustration return.
Tristan had one eyebrow up, with the most confused expression on her face.
"What-?"
"That was Robert Pattinson." I answered with attitude, I was really irritated.
"What?" Tristan gaped. "Did he say anything about-"
"Nope." I interrupted.
"What the hell?" Tristan muttered as I turned off my laptop.
"That's for sure." I answered. Taking my computer to my room and then grabbing some towels to take a shower and try to relax.
I walked out of my room with the towels in my arms and Tristan was still sitting on the chair, frowning. I stopped.
"Nice jacket." I muttered, then smiled.
"Oh shoot!" Tristan looked down at the leather jacket she was still wearing. "I forgot to give it back."
"Looks like it went better than you were letting on." I teased.
She grinned back. "Well I hadn't finished telling before you stopped paying attention!"
I stuck my tongue at her. "Finish spilling." I said, sitting down next to her again.
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It was Sunday, and I was pacing back and forth in my room nearly fuming. As promising as this potential job was sounding, I didn't want to do it. Well, I didn't want to work for him. This was the point where I would normal be figuring out what would appropriate to wear, but I was deeply considering not even going.
I couldn't believe that he didn't call! He's the one that asked for my number!
My pacing picked up speed.
And then when he did call he didn't even say anything about it! Like he'd completely forgotten! Which, he probably had the second a five foot ten blond walked across his path. I wanted nothing to do with him.
I stopped and grabbed my head with a groan.
But I needed this job. I could just be annoying.
I began tapping my foot, then it stopped.
No, I'd probably get fired pretty quick. Then what could I do to-
A perfectly wicked grin crawled up my face and I stormed out of my room. "Tristan! I have an idea!"
